Devices, systems, and methods for visualizing and manipulating tissue

Abstract

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a tissue imaging device that includes a catheter body, a hood, and a visualization assembly. The catheter body includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and at least one lumen extending between the distal and proximal end portions. The catheter body includes at least one drainage port having a first opening and at least one infusion port having a second opening. The first and second openings are located about a lateral aspect of the catheter body. The hood projects distally from the distal end portion and is configured to self-expand into an expanded deployment state that defines an open area therein. The visualization assembly is disposed within the open area and extends distally from the distal end portion of the catheter body.

The following is claimed: 
     
       1. A system for imaging a tissue comprising:
 a device including:
 a catheter body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and at least one lumen extending between said distal and proximal end portions, said catheter body including at least one drainage port having a first opening and at least one infusion port having a second opening, said first and second openings being located about a lateral aspect of said catheter body; 
 a hood projecting distally from said distal end portion and being configured to self-expand into an expanded deployment state defining an open area therein; and 
 a visualization assembly disposed within said open area and extending distally from said distal end portion of said catheter body; and 
 
 an occlusion catheter comprising:
 a main body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and lumen that extends between said distal and proximal end portions; and 
 an inflation member operably disposed about said distal end portion and being configured to selectively transition between expanded and collapsed configurations, said inflation member having an outer surface configured to sealingly contact a luminal surface of a blood vessel when said inflation member is in the expanded configuration; 
 
 wherein said proximal end portion of said main body includes a port adapted for connection to a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said inflation member is shaped and configured for placement in a pulmonary artery to prevent blood flow into the lungs when said inflation member is in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
       3. A method for imaging an immersed region of tissue, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a device that includes a catheter body, a hood, and a visualization assembly, the catheter body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and at least one lumen extending between the distal and proximal end portions, the catheter body including at least one drainage port having a first opening and at least one infusion port having a second opening, the first and second openings being located about a lateral aspect of the catheter body, the hood projecting distally from the distal end portion of the catheter body and being configured to self-expand into an expanded deployment state defining an open area therein, the visualization assembly being disposed within the open area and extending distally from the distal end portion of the catheter body; 
 providing an occlusion catheter that includes a main body and an inflation member, the main body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, a lumen that extends between the distal and proximal end portions, the inflation member being operably disposed about the distal end portion, the proximal end portion being operably connected to a CPB circuit; 
 coupling the proximal end portion of the catheter body to the CPB circuit; 
 placing a portion of the occlusion catheter in a pulmonary artery; 
 inflating the inflation member so that an outer surface thereof sealingly contacts a luminal surface of the pulmonary artery to prevent blood flow into the lungs; 
 positioning the hood against or adjacent the region of tissue to be imaged; 
 urging a translucent imaging fluid into the open area of the hood via the second opening such that an opaque fluid is displaced from within the open area into the environment external to the hood; and 
 operating the CPB circuit to visualize the region of tissue through the translucent imaging fluid using the visualization assembly. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein said step of positioning the hood further includes advancing the catheter body intravascularly into a chamber of a heart. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , wherein said step of positioning the hood further comprises deploying the hood from a low-profile delivery configuration into the expanded deployment state. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 3 , wherein said step of urging a translucent imaging fluid further comprises pumping the imaging fluid into the hood through a fluid delivery lumen defined through the catheter body. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 3 , wherein said step of urging a translucent imaging fluid further comprises urging saline, plasma, water, or perfluorinated liquid into the hood such that blood is displaced from the open area of the hood. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 3 , further comprising treating the region of tissue with a therapeutic tool advanced through the catheter body. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 3 , further comprising sensing a physiological parameter within or outside of the hood using a sensor advanced through the catheter body.